Angga Dwiartama
The community service activity in Sipirok District, South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra Province was pioneered as a form of collaboration between ITB and the Marsipatur Hutana BE (YPMHB) Education Foundation. Specifically, this activity focuses on increasing the institutional capacity of farmer groups in Sipirok District, with the Mekar Sari Horticultural Farmers' Intervention Group and Mekar Sari Perkebunan Farmers Groups, in Sampean and Huta Suhut Villages. This PM activity is part of a series of larger PM activities, which consist of increased agricultural productivity, post -harvest processing, and the development of the potential of bioprospecting in Sipirok District. As many as 25 farmers were involved in training and assistance activities that lasted for eight months, from March to November 2022. Institutional capacity strengthening activities began with the identification of group potential, improvement of the administrative system, strengthening market networks, and strengthening branding of farmer group products. In September, a meeting was held with candidates for offtaker coffee products from Jakarta and Medan, as part of strengthening this institution. Farmers group products are currently being built a profile to be displayed on the Farmers Group website which is still in the preparation stage.